Larry Crowne (2011)

Posted on December 2, 2011 by
Larry Crowne

Courtesy Internet Movie Poster Awards

SYNOPSIS: Movie Website
Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts come together for a romantic and optimistic comedy about how it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. When he suddenly finds himself without his long-standing blue-collar job, Larry Crowne (Hanks) enrolls at his local college to start over. There, he becomes part of an eclectic community of students and develops a crush on his teacher (Roberts). Now this simple guy will discover that when you think everything worth having has passed you by, you just might find your reason to live.

REVIEW
This movie is not one of my reasons to live; I found it boring and unentertaining. I could not even grasp the relationship dynamic between the student and teacher! I like Julia and Tom, but this movie was just a big flop for me.

Rated 4 out of 10 stars on IMDb.com.

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Someone’s in the Garden with Leo

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

King Acres North Bed

Though Leo is the one that had to do all the work. I am proud of myself though for keeping my promise to clean out the bed on Thanksgiving Day weekend. I cleaned out the bulb bed, which was fairly simple, as all the green had turned brown. I did notice that several of the corms in the front had leveled up a bit. The worst part was the weeds. And you might notice in the upper left-hand corner some flowers that are going to bloom. My guess is that they are more Narcissus.

King Acres South Bed

In the south bed, I decided to cut the Chrysanthemum at the stock, as they had grown to 3-four feet high. I am pretty sure they will grow back, but only time will tell. The Zantedeschia are very prominent now and very big. I was going to transplant the Hippeastrum into the south bed, but I want to wait until they bloom first.

Latrodectus geometricus
Latrodectus geometricus

And fortunately enough for me, I spotted this huge Latrodectus geometricus (brown widow) before she spotted me and decided to take a bite.

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Understanding Reality

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

I live in a garage that was converted into a playroom for mother’s day care clients, which I then later transformed into my current living quarters. I have been collecting food stamps from the Department of Social Services ever since my savings ran out; approximately nine months. At one point, I discovered that I was eligible for the EBT Restaurant Program because I don’t have cooking facilities and because, according to the Department of Social Services, I am, technically, homeless.

The strange thing is that until this week I had not really considered myself homeless. So what changed my mind. The cold temps which permeate the walls of my residence and clutch at me like the icy fingers of the abominable snowman. I think my next purchase is going to be a pair of slippers from the Slauson Indoor Swap Meet. Hey! If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll meet my future husbant there as well.

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I Am Number Four (2011)

Posted on November 20, 2011 by
I Am Number Four

Courtesy Internet Movie Poster Awards

SYNOPSIS: Movie Website
Three are dead. Who is Number Four? From director D. J. Carus (Disturbia), producer Michael Bay (Transformers) and the writers of TV’s Smallville comes this gripping, action-packed thriller. John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen masking his true identity to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him. Living with his guardian (Timothy Olyphant) in the small town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events — his first love (Dianna Agron, TV’s Glee), powerful new abilities and a secret connection to the others who share his incredible destiny. I Am Number four is an explosive, suspense-filled ride that will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond.

REVIEW
I had been eager to see this movie since I started seeing the previews in the movie theaters. I didn’t realize that Alex Pettyfer (Beastly) was appearing in it. Yummy! Damn! I could not find an shirtless images of him on the internet and he is shirtless at least three times in the movie.

This movie was a bit slow-going first about the first two-thirds, though there were some suspenseful moments. I even got startled a couple of times. The last third of the movie really gets into the action and before you I knew it, it was over. This is a franchise who sequels I would be interested in following, in hopes that the movies may get better.

Rated 7 out of 10 stars on IMDB.com.

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Horrible Bosses (2011)

Posted on November 20, 2011 by
Horrible Bosses

Courtesy Internet Movie Poster Awards

SYNOPSIS: Movie Website
For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so with the benefit of a few too many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friend devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers…permanently. There’s only one problem: even the best-laid plans are only as foolproof as the brains behind them.

REVIEW
This movie was pretty funny, but in the end it falls in the ever expanding movie genre of “mainstream movie audience crap.” This is not the kind of movie that I would have ever considered paying to see in a theater — especially with escalating prices — so I am very happy that I rented it on DVD, at which cost I was duly rewarded with corresponding entertainment.

I could not get over how changed — and not for the good — Colin Farrell was; nor Jennifer Aniston, for that matter. Jennifer actually looked-d Asian. Jamie Foxx was pretty funny and Kevin Spacey was just plain evil.

I watched it with my cousin, who has a “horrible boss” and throughout the movie she kept repeating, “That’s So-and-so.” I must give credit to the finesse of the story line which I picked up on. In the back of my head, I kept saying, “Why don’t you just quit?” This thought was echoed when the main characters are in the bar discussing their situations. What one fails to realize is that there is a big difference between being in the situation and observing it.

Rated 7 out of 10 stars on IMDb.com.

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Why Poor Men Grow Beards

Posted on November 19, 2011 by

Gillette

Because they can’t afford the frikkin’ razor blades! I can’t believe I paid almost $25.00 for replacement blades. Because my hair is so thick and grows so fast I am the kind of guy that must shave every day, but because I am so frugal, I usually get 5-10 shaves from each blade.

I am entering this post as a means of financial analysis. Today’s shave was for about a weeks growth, but I plan to shave every day because I met someone that I like. Stay tuned for The Report.

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Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

Crazy, Stupid, LoveSYNOPSIS: Crazy, Stupid, Love
Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling lead an all-star cast in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Fortysomething straight-laced Cal Weaver (Carell) is living the dream—good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart, Emily (Julianne Moore). So when Cal learns that his wife has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his “perfect” life quickly unravels. Cal, who hasn’t dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth so handsome player Jacob Palmer (Gosling) takes him on as wingman and protégé, opening Cal’s eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style. Despite Cal’s makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can’t be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading Cal back to where he began. Brimming with inspired performances, critics are calling this gem of a romantic comedy “a movie that understands love” (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly).

REVIEW
I might have seen this at the theaters if there was nothing else to see because I am a big fan of Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling. As it turned out the movie was quite funny, sexy and even had a good intertwined story.

Rated 8 out of 10 stars on IMDb.com.

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Ryan Gosling: Crazy, Stupid, Love

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

I think this is the finest I have seen Ryan in many moons. Crazy, Stupid, Love movie review.

Ryan Gosling
courtesy awardsdaily.com

Ryan Gosling
courtesy willywonka31.typepad.com

Ryan Gosling
courtesy hollywooddame.com

Ryan Gosling
courtesy heshouldodporn.com

Ryan Gosling
courtesy allmoviephoto.com

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2SYNOPSIS: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no on one is safe. But it is Harry who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

REVIEW
Finally! Now I just need to rent all the movies and watch them back to back. One of the most noticeable things about this movie was the improvement of the special effects over the first one. I could so see the Gringot’s trolleys made into 360° roller coaster. I also loved the scene where Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) forces Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) out of Hogwarts.

From a carnal point of view, I absolutely loved the scene where Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) disrobes. For a white boy, he is pretty darn hot! I would just love to see him in Equus. Never having been a fan of ginger (the spice), I could not really say the same for Ron (Rupert Grint). I was curious if Hermione as Bellatrix was really Emma Watson with fantastic makeup or if it was Helena Bonham Carter.

I did get a little confused towards the end because it has been so long since I read the book and since the last movie, but for the most part I was entertained. It’s kind of sad that the story is over. I am eager to read Rowling’s next story.

Rated 9 out of 10 stars on IMDb.com because of the dark scenes which were not very revealing.

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More Daffodils

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

Narcissus

I must admit that I am very pleased to see more Narcissus coming up in my garden, though I am curious as to their decision to bloom in early fall versus spring, when I kind of expected them to bloom.

You know, I used to enjoy blogging, but now it seems to have become work. I think the main reason is because my devotion has changed to crocheting and knitting. I fear, too, that I have forced myself into a corner and I am now afraid to express myself  for fear of reprisal or negative repercussions from revealing too much about myself.

I began by journaling my personal life. Considering my current circumstances, I don’t feel that I have much too offer anymore. Much of this feeling has to do with the fact that I am not gainfully employed. You see, my confidence has always stemmed from my work and without work I feel I am nothing. I certainly have no money to participate in many social events and as such, my only companionship nowadays is my dog, Mojo, whom I love with all my heart.

I think I may get in the habit of daily posts again, journal-worthy or not. Perhaps this will be the beginning of restoring my confidence. My websites are paid for until April 14, 2011, so I better make good use of this blog until such time, as I already paid for a cell phone for one month and have not used it or received any calls, which accounts for a complete waste of money I can’t really afford to be spending.

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